Microsoft Teams’ “location tracking”: What’s really happening (and why it’s nothing to fear)
Over the weekend, several media outlets ran headlines warning that Microsoft Teams would soon “expose the real location of remote workers.”
Understandably, this sparked concern across Australian workplaces, from staff working at home to managers navigating hybrid policies.
But the truth behind this update is far simpler and far less dramatic.
What Microsoft Teams actually released
Microsoft’s new Teams feature allows organisations to automatically display when a user is connected to a known network. Reiterating: “known” locations.
In other words, if your business has (for example) a Melbourne CBD and a Footscray office, and your Teams is pre-configured to recognise those office IP addresses, it can show “Working from Melbourne Office” or “Working from Footscray Office.”
This helps businesses coordinate on-site collaboration and reduces the back-and-forth of asking, “Where are you today?”
How Microsoft Teams’ location tracking really works
The key detail is pre-configuration before it actually functions.
The new Microsoft Teams Location feature only works when:
- An administrator has set up approved office networks, and
- The individual user has opted in to allow their location to be shown.
If either of these isn’t enabled, Teams will display “Unknown Location.”
That means it won’t – and can’t – show if someone is at home, at a café or anywhere else not pre-approved by the business.
What Microsoft Teams’ location tracking doesn’t do
Despite the headlines, Microsoft Teams cannot track or expose private locations. It does not monitor devices. It does not share your Wi-Fi information. And it does not reveal when someone steps out for coffee.
The feature’s purpose is visibility, not surveillance, designed for efficiency in multi-site organisations, not control
Why this matters for businesses
At Premier Technology Solutions, we see technology updates like this as an opportunity for strategic enablement and not panic.
Before enabling new functionality, businesses should:
- Review HR and hybrid-work policies to ensure they align.
- Confirm employee consent processes.
- Consider whether automatic location visibility adds real operational value.
As always, technology should support people and business goals – not the other way around.
Our advice for Microsoft Teams’ location tracking
Don’t let sensational headlines drive your IT decisions.
If you’re using Microsoft Teams, there’s nothing new to fear. It’s only a new tool that, if used appropriately, can make collaboration smoother for larger organisations.
At Premier, our role is to cut through the noise and give you clarity before you act.
If you’d like to discuss how this change in Microsoft Teams’ location tracking might apply to your business, reach out to us anytime.
Because when you understand business technology and align it with your business goals, it empowers your people. And that’s exactly what we’re here for.
If you have any questions, please ask.
Premier Technology Solutions is a strategic technology enablement partner that augments ambitious Australian businesses.
We don’t just fix IT problems or push cookie-cutter solutions – we work alongside your internal teams to align technology with business strategy, ensuring your systems’ security and people are equipped to scale with confidence.
Our people-first approach means every solution is designed to empower your team, reduce risk and remove bottlenecks so technology drives outcomes – not obstacles.
Whether it’s cyber resilience, streamlining operations or future-proofing your infrastructure, we ensure IT works seamlessly in the background while your business focuses on growth.
If you’re ready to turn technology into a business strength, talk to our team today and discover how we can enable your next stage of success!
